Tufts Medical School: What You Need to Know

As one of the best schools in the nation, Tufts medical school continues to foster a new generation of doctors every year. If you want to be their next success story, read on!

Tufts Medical School Admission Requirements 

Tufts medical school’s admission requirements are similar to most other medical schools.

A Bachelor’s Degree

Prospective students must complete a bachelor’s degree with the following prerequisites:

• Biology: One full year of either basic or upper-level biology classes
• Chemistry: Two full years of chemistry, including at least one semester of general chemistry and one semester of organic chemistry
• Physics: At least one semester of college-level physics‍
• Advanced Placement (AP): AP credit can count toward the general chemistry requirement, but does not replace the biology or physics coursework requirements

Competencies

Tufts lists specific competencies it requires its pre-med students to have to ensure they are prepared for the rigorous curriculum of their MD program:

• English: You should be able to speak and write English well, but no specific English classes are required; earning a degree from an English-speaking college or university shows this.
• Math: You need a solid understanding of basic statistics concepts.
• Biology: You should be familiar with cell biology, molecular biology, and Mendelian genetics.
• Laboratory: You’re expected to have lab experience similar to what you’d gain from two years of lab-based coursework.

Before entering medical school, you’ll want to ensure you’re well-versed in these topics!

GPA Requirements

The average GPA of admitted students to Tufts medical school is 3.85. To be a strong candidate, applicants should aim for a GPA of 3.9 or above.

MCAT Requirements

The average MCAT score at Tufts medical school is 515.8. Students should aim for scores of 516 or higher to increase their chances of admission.

Considering these high MCAT score averages, you’ll need to study hard for the MCAT and thoroughly understand how to excel in each section.

For elite MCAT prep, contact our tutors in Boston with a free consultation for a 520+ score guarantee.

Secondary Application

If the intimidating GPA and MCAT requirements make you second-guess whether Tufts medical school is right for you, rest assured, your scores aren’t the only factors the admissions committee will consider. 

The secondary application, which consists of the following essay prompts that students must answer, is equally important. Here are the prompts you’ll need to respond to.

1. “Do you wish to share a specific reason why have you chosen to apply to Tufts University School of Medicine? (Yes/No)”​ (1000 characters)
2. “Please briefly describe your plans for the coming year. Will you be a student, working, conducting research, volunteering, or other activities?” (1000 characters)
3. “Please tell us about your journey to medical school and how your background and experiences will positively impact your future as a medical student and physician. If you have experienced personal circumstances or hardships that have helped you develop qualities that you believe will allow you to better serve your future patients and the medical community as a whole, please share those experiences in your response.”​ (1000 characters)
4. “Which of your experiences with clinical medicine or healthcare has best prepared you for a future career as a physician, and why? Please tell us about the specific experience, the skills you acquired, and the insights you gained about the profession of medicine.”​ (1000 characters)
5. “Tufts University School of Medicine is committed to social responsibility, and to serve and advocate for all people. Have you done substantial work or service that has contributed to societal good, or addressed social determinants of health, health equity, or social justice? (Yes/No)”​ (1000 characters)
6. “Do you have any withdrawals or repeated coursework listed on your transcript(s).”​ (1000 characters)
7. “Did you take any leaves of absence or significant breaks from your undergraduate education?” (Do not include time off after graduation.)​ (1000 characters)
8. “Because your academics (grades and MCAT scores) will not be shared with interviewers until after you complete your interview, we encourage you to use this space to elaborate on any academic challenges you have overcome since completing high school. We understand that many applicants encounter academic hardships along the way. We believe that such difficulties offer an opportunity for growth and would appreciate learning how your experiences have affected your approach to academics. If you have not encountered any difficulties, you may answer 'No.'” (1000 characters)

Remember, when answering these essay prompts, remain genuine and try to make yourself stand out! For the questions regarding withdrawals, repeated coursework, and leaves of absence, ensure you give legitimate reasons, not excuses.

Letters of Recommendation

Another common element of the medical school application process is submitting letters of recommendation from people who can attest to your character. 

While Tufts does not specify who should write these letters, students applying to medical schools should always aim to have at least one letter written by an academic faculty member, preferably from a science course. 

Prospective students have two options to choose from when submitting these letters:

1. Students may submit three individual letters to the admissions office separately.

2. Students can request a package of letters to be sent to the admissions committee from the applicant’s undergraduate or post-baccalaureate school’s premedical or career-service office.

While there is no maximum limit on the letters of recommendation students can submit, applicants generally submit between three and five letters. Remember, it is always better to have fewer superb and personal letters of recommendation than multiple letters that do not adequately demonstrate your skills and abilities.

Tufts Medical School Acceptance Rate

Tufts medical school has an acceptance rate similar to many elite schools. At around 1.46%, Tufts’ acceptance rate is quite low. That means you need to build a competitive profile to stand out from the crowd.

Please note that this is an approximate acceptance rate and refers to the percentage of matriculants and deferred students compared to verified applications. Medical schools often don’t release data pertaining to accepted applicants and verified applications. 

FAQs: Tufts Medical School

Still have questions about why you should apply to Tufts medical school? Read on to find the answers.

1. Is Tufts a Good Medical School?

Yes! Tufts medical school is one of the best schools in the nation. Its diverse and evolving curriculum allows students to excel and gain valuable patient experience.

2. What GPA Do You Need to Get Into Tufts Medical School?

The average GPA of accepted applicants at Tufts is 3.85. That means you should aim for a GPA of 3.9 or higher to be a competitive applicant.

3. What Is the Acceptance Rate at Tufts Medical School?

Tufts medical school is highly selective and only accepts 1.46% of applicants. Of the 14,248 applicants for the recent class, only 202 students matriculated.

4. What's Special About Tufts Medical School?

Tufts medical school is dedicated to teaching and redefining medicine, making it more accessible and equitable. 

Additionally, they offer various tools and resources to give their students real hands-on experience through their Clinical Skills and Simulation Center (CSSC) to ensure they are well-prepared for their medical careers.

5. Does Tufts Medical School Hold Interviews for Prospective Students?

Yes, Tufts holds interviews as part of the application process. Of the 14,248 applicants who applied for the recent class, only 808 were interviewed.

6. Is Tufts Medical School Hard to Get Into?

Tufts medical school is comparable to other elite schools in terms of how hard it is to get accepted. With a low acceptance rate of only 1.46%, it is highly competitive and admits only the most promising and talented students.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, after learning more about the Tufts medical school admission process and the school’s mission and comprehensive curriculum, you’re convinced that Tufts medical school is a worthwhile option if you are considering going to medical school.

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Dr. Jonathan Preminger was the original author of this article. Snippets of his work may remain.